Middlesbrough manager Tony Pulis and Sunderland winger Callum McManaman worked together at West Bromwich Albion.
McManaman worked with Pulis at Premier League club West Bromwich Albion, but the 26-year-old struggled for playing time at The Hawthorns.
The former England Under-20 international winger scored for the Black Cats in their 3-3 draw with Middlesbrough at the Stadium of Light in the Championship at the weekend.
After scoring, the former Wigan Athletic and West Brom winger run to the Middlesbrough technical area and cupped his ear towards Pulis.
Pulis has taken a dig at McManaman, and told The Sunderland Echo when asked if he was angered by the celebration: “No, not really. He was disappointed when he was at West Brom and I never picked him.
“He went to Sheffield Wednesday and they didn’t pick him and he is here and they don’t pick him! I understand the boy is very frustrated.”
Relegation worries
While Middlesbrough are aiming to finish in the top six of the Championship this season, Sunderland are in danger of getting relegated to League One at the end of the 2017-18 campaign.
McManaman, who joined the Black Cats in the summer of 2017, has started nine starts and as many substitute appearances in the Championship for Sunderland so far this season, scoring one goal and providing two assists in the process.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
